Saudi prince in Islamabad to launch $100 million tech house project today

Saudi Prince Fahad bin Mansour speaks at the closing ceremony of Pakistan's largest tech conference, Future Fest 2023, on January 8, 2023. (Photo courtesy: ILSA Interactive)
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Updated 06 March 2023
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Saudi prince in Islamabad to launch $100 million tech house project today

  • Prince Fahad first announced the initiative at Pakistan’s largest tech conference in January 
  • His firm, ILSA Interactive, plans to create over 1,000 jobs, undertake $100 million projects 

ISLAMABAD: A Saudi tech company, owned by Prince Fahad bin Mansour Al-Saud, has announced it will launch a Saudi-Pakistan Tech House in Islamabad today, Monday, aiming to forge partnerships with information technology (IT) companies and enterprises in the South Asian country. 

The Saudi prince first announced the initiative in January at Future Fest 2023, the largest tech event in Pakistan. The tech house aims “to promote greater ease of doing business” between the two countries. 

Prince Fahad is the co-founder of ILSA Interactive, which was first established in 2009 by Pakistani entrepreneur Salman Nasir, with offices in Riyadh and Lahore. The firm is reflective of the determination of both Pakistani and Saudi leaders to further deepen an existing strategic relationship in all fields. 

“HRH Prince Fahad bin Mansour Al-Saud is visiting Pakistan to launch Saudi-Pakistan Tech House to enhance cooperation between the two countries in diverse technical fields,” the firm said in a statement. 




This photo published on December 8, 2019, shows the Saudi Prince Fahad bin Mansour Al-Saud addressing an audience at the Digital Next Summit. (Photo courtesy: @AbuDhabiDigital/Twitter)

“He has strategic plans to forge partnerships with IT companies, universities and big enterprises in Pakistan.” 

The launching ceremony is scheduled to be held in Islamabad on Monday, March 6, according to the Saudi tech firm. 

Addressing the closing ceremony of Future Fest 2023 in January, Prince Fahad had said his company planned to create more than 1,000 jobs in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and other countries, and undertake 300 projects valued at $100 million. 

Future Fest 2023 saw leading entrepreneurs, startups, policymakers and investors partake from several countries around the world. 

A delegation of Saudi business leaders also attended the event and took part in keynote addresses, roundtable conferences and discussions on wide-ranging topics from the future business landscape to startups and their success. 


In a first, Pakistani corporate dairy farm to make $8.9 million market debut next month

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In a first, Pakistani corporate dairy farm to make $8.9 million market debut next month

  • Ghani Dairies to issue 104.2 million new shares, with most offered via book building
  • Company supplies milk to large processors including Nestlé Pakistan and Fauji Foods

KARACHI: Ghani Dairies Limited, a Pakistani corporate dairy farming company, plans to raise about Rs 2.5 billion ($8.9 million) through an initial public offering, in what would be the country’s first listing by a large-scale, automated dairy farm, its advisers said on Tuesday.

The company will issue 104.2 million new shares, representing 24.28 percent of its post-IPO paid-up capital, with 75 percent of the offering allocated through book building and the remainder offered to retail investors, according to a statement by JS Global Capital, the consultant to the issue.

The floor price has been set at Rs 24 per share, and the issue will be fully underwritten.

“This is not just a dairy farm, but a vision for Pakistan’s dairy future,” said Hafiz Avais Ghani, chief executive officer of Ghani Dairies, adding that the company aimed to expand capacity to better serve industrial clients and the broader market.

Ghani Dairies operates a fully automated dairy farm using imported high-yielding cattle and digital herd-management systems, supplying milk primarily to large food and dairy processors.

Its expansion plan includes the import of 1,250 dairy cows, construction of additional milking and heifer sheds, storage facilities and the installation of modern feeding and milking systems.

The company’s customers include Nestlé Pakistan, IRC Dairy, and Fauji Foods, according to the statement.

Khalil Usmani, chief executive of JS Global Capital, said the IPO would give investors exposure to a modern, corporate dairy operation at a time when demand for higher-quality milk and value-added dairy products was rising.

Book building for the offering is scheduled for Feb. 2–3, with the public offering expected to follow on Feb. 9–10, the statement said.